Venezuela earthquake LIVE: Huge 7.5 magnitude quake hits Caracas with tsunami alert issued

The first 7.2-magnitude quake was centred in the state of Carabobo, 20km from the capital.

This was then followed by a stronger 7.5 magnitude quake just 39 seconds later according to the US Geological Survey.

One Caracas resident explained the horrifying moment he felt the quake as his "building really shook from side to side."

Roberto Damas described it as "unreal".

He said: "The force was incredibly strong.

"We were walking and it was tossing us around. Everything in the apartment fell. Well, thank God we were able to get out."

June 24 is a national Holiday in Venezuela, to commemorate the 1821 Battle of Carabobo, a victory by Venezuelan independence leader Simón Bolívar against the Spanish colonial power.

Hence, when the first quake struck at 6.04pm local time, more people than usual would have been at home.

Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello says that petrol supplies to several building have been cut as a precaution.

"We have some damaged structures and we don't want any kind of accident involving gas to occur," Cabello said.

Families and children have been seen fleeing their homes and running from collapsing buildings.

People have been urged to 'remain outside' as there could be further damage.

María Corina Machado, Nobel Peace prize winner and opposition leader of Venezuela, has issued a statement following the earthquake.

"My heart, my infinite embrace, and my prayers are with every Venezuelan home in these hours of anguish," she writes on X.

"May strength, serenity, and solidarity prevail among us in the face of this difficult moment.

"May God protect every Venezuelan, our families, and our homes. Today, more united than ever".

Rescuers appear to be searching in the rubble as several buildings have collapsed.

Witnesses have claimed they have 'never experienced anything like it' as their homes shook and cracks formed in their walls.

"Several walls in my building broke open or cracks formed," one witness tells Reuters.

Another, Coro Martinez, siad he heard "a very loud crash"

The 56-year-old added: "Things fell in the house, jugs inside the refrigerator. I've never experienced anything like it."

Maria Romero compared the quake to the deadly 1967 disaster in Caracas, claiming this one was "even worse".

Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello told state television that a number of Venezuelan states felt the impact of the quake.

"There was a seismic event, everything indicates that it had a magnitude much greater than seven," he said speaking via phone to VTV.

“It has been strongly felt in Trujillo, Yaracuy, Carabobo, Aragua, Miranda, Caracas and La Guaira.”

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello has urged people to 'remain outside' due to the risk of aftershocks and potential for further damage.

He said the quake could be felt in several states, adding that the Altamira neighborhood in Caracas had “alarming situations” with collapsed homes and buildings.

Buildings were seen swaying as the earthquake struck in Caracas.

People evacuated and remained outside, with many in shock.

Entire walls had collapsed, making furniture visible from the street.

Dust columns could also be seen in two neighborhoods of the capital, where restaurants and other businesses are typically busy.

The US Geological Survey recorded the first earthquake at a magnitude of 7.1 and its epicenter was west of the community of Morón, located along the country’s Caribbean coast, about 168 kilometers (104 miles) west of Caracas.

This first quake had a depth of 13 kilometers (8 miles).

The tsunami alert has been cancelled in Puerto Rico.

The National Weather Service report that all available data indicates that a tsunami was not generated by this earthquake.

Information will only be updated should this change.

As buildings have collapsed and structures are damaged there is likely to be a big economic loss, with a red alert issued by USGS.

The Geological Survey estimated economic losses are 2-20% GDP of Venezuela.

A red alert has been recorded for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses.

According to USGS this means high casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread. Past red alerts have required a national or international response.

There is currently no number of casualties and rescue operations are being carried out.

Rescue operations are being carried out in Venezuela as buildings has fallen to ruins.

Emergency services are working to save people among the rubble.

People quickly evacuated in Caracas during the earthquake, with one witness reporting that cracks started to appear in their apartment as the shakes continued, Reuters reported.

Venezuela's interior minister Diosdado Cabello told state TV that buildings are down.

Images shared on X show collapsed buildings across the country.

Buildings have been left damaged, with items chucked across homes as locals are devastated by the strong impact of the earthquake.

Images shared online show items in homes sprawled across the floor, with glass items smashed.

Buildings also appear to have collapsed as a result of the disaster.

The most violent shakes were felt in Puerto Cabello according to USGS data.

Puerto Cabello is a major historic port city on the Caribbean coast of Venezuela, located in Carabobo State, about 210 km west of Caracas.

Damage has been reported at Simon Bolivar Airport in Maiquetia, Venezuela.

Videos shared online show travellers appearing to evacuate the building as the ceiling has fallen down.

Tsunami threats are in place for Venezuela, Aruba and Bonaire.

Advisory threats have also been issued to Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands, according to the US Tsunami Warning System.

The first waves are expected at around 10pm local time.

The earthquake has now been identified as a 7.5 magnitude quake, according to USGS.

The natural disaster also had a depth of 10km, according to the updated information.

There is devastation in Venezuela as buildings have collapsed with images showing destruction across the nation.

A tsunami alert has been issued following the severe quake, with waves expected at around 10pm.

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake has been detected in Japan, with the epicenter 42 kilometers east northeast of Noda according to USGS.

According to USGS maps there has been violent shaking felt in Venezuela.

One local said they had "never felt one so strong" as belonging were thrown across their house and smashed.

It has been confirmed there is no tsunami threat for the US east coast.

According to authorities there is no tsunami danger for the US east coast, the Gulf of America states, or the eastern coast of Canada.